Re: differential mechanism/ SUDS/ eye movements

**What is the difference between this dual attention mechanism hypothesized by the Andrade and Kavanaugh group and the older notion of distraction? Is there any THEORETICAL reason to think that a dual task would enhance memory processing rather than detract from it? As I noted earlier, if symptoms persist because the memory has not been adequately processed, and processing requires cognitive resources, how is it that dividing these cognitive resources between two tasks leads to better processing?**

One of the points you bring up, that is, titration of material, I would concur is, is likely an essential element in treatment of more severe trauma related disorders. The other one is mindfulness, something DBT focusses on very much. The two may be linked.

My sense is that the bilateral stimulation allows the client to stay with the material more easily, at the same time being in touch with their body. The sensory awareness induced by the bilateral stimulation may help titrate material by allowing the client to maintain their sense of self in the here and now while reaccessing the traumatic material.

Mindfulness is in all likelihood generated by frontal activity in the brain and more likely than not related to working memory as well. Empirical evidence suggests that in PTSD frontal functioning tends to be compromised when reaccessing traumatic memories. Eye movements activate frontal activity and have been related to working memory.

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